Darren Does It Again NSSS Rnd 3
01/01/09…NASR/SSA Media Release
Queensland champion Darren Kane replicated his performance from two nights earlier with a dominant victory in round three of the 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series at Toowoomba’s Charlton Raceway last night (Wednesday, December 31).
Having again qualified his Ian Boettcher Race Parts Mazda RX8 on pole position, Kane led every circulation in the 35-lap feature race, extending his advantage to as much as half a lap at one stage. In a faultless display, Kane handled lapped traffic with aplomb and encountered little resistance to expand his lead in the championship points.
Victoria’s Michael Nicola secured his best ever NSSS result, backing up his third-place finish in Rockhampton with a runner-up result on this occasion ahead of Shane Best and opening round winner Wayne Brims.
On a challenging, but racy track surface, the scrap for the minor placings provided most interest with Best and Brims joined in a five-way tussle by Jarrod Harper, Tony Barklimore and Gavin Northfield, who was again the best of the non-contracted drivers and collected the Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens Award for his efforts.
Defending champ Michael Doblo finished in eighth spot ahead of Brad Smith, who put on a terrific display as he surged through the field after qualifying through the B Main. Chris Bussey also secured a top-ten result after transferring from the B Main, with Bill Miller and Lachlan Onley next in line. Jack Childs, Tania Smith and Ron Bergmeier completed the finishers in another highly entertaining event.
Dan Miller’s luckless run continued, rolling his Enzed Pontiac for the second meeting in succession.
Heat winners: Darren Kane x 2, Shane Best, Michael Nicola, Dale Christensen, Dave Gartner, Gavin Northfield, Tony Barklimore, Jarrod Harper
B Main: 1.Brett Hignett, 2. Steve Pearce, 3. Michael Hickey, 4. Brad Smith, 5. Chris Bussey, 6. Jack Childs, DNF – Tania Smith, Colin Hockley, Shayne Lau
Feature Race: 1. Darren Kane, 2. Michael Nicola, 3. Shane Best, 4. Wayne Brims, 5. Jarrod Harper, 6. Tony Barklimore, 7. Gavin Northfield, 8. Michael Doblo, 9. Brad Smith, 10. Chris Bussey, 11. Bill Miller, 12. Lachlan Onley, 13. Jack Childs, 14. Tania Smith, 15. Ron Bergmeier, DNF – Matt Pascoe, Colin Hockley, Dave Gartner, Dale Christensen, Michael Hickey, Brett Hignett, Steve Pearce
Contingency Winners
Shock Doctor Lucky Sevens
Gavin Northfield
Oval Express Best Presented Car and Crew
Jarrod Harper
Championship standings (top ten) after three of ten rounds: Darren Kane 1677, Wayne Brims 1421, Mick Nicola 1285, Shane Best 1153, Michael Doblo 1152, Jarrod Harper 1102, Matt Pascoe 1013, Gavin Northfield 885, Lachlan Onley 831, Bill Miller 802
The 2008/2009 Carline Mufflers National Super Sedan Series is proudly supported by the following sponsors:
Carline Mufflers, Bergmeier Engineering, American Racer Tyres, Shock Doctor, Oval Express Magazine, Art by Mickey, APCO Warrnambool, Comfort Inn and Suites Robertson Gardens, Rocky Resort Motor Inn, Comfort Inn on Raglan, National Association of Speedway Racing (NASR), Speedway Sedans Australia (ASCF)